3 Cover Letter Secrets Revealed

Writing a cover letter can be like cleaning your garage -- you don't know where to start ... and you just want it done.

Wouldn't it be great if you could use a few "underground" techniques to write cover letters that get more job interviews? Faster and easier than you ever thought possible?

Well, pay attention. I'm going to share 3 cover letter secrets that should get you more interviews, while a lot of the guesswork out of your letter writing.

To dig up these "cover letter secrets," I interviewed career expert and author, Jimmy Sweeney (www.amazing-cover-letters.com).

Read on!

Cover Letter Secret #1 - Drop The Big Words

Always keep one thing in mind: when you write a cover letter, you're not trying to impress readers with your vocabulary. You're trying to land an interview.

"Write your cover letter in language anyone can understand. Bring it all together with a friendly tone throughout and chances are you've got yourself a winner," says Sweeney.

So, don't write gibberish, like this:

"I have consulted, choreographed, compiled and specifically isolated technological solutions for challenging, yet highly inordinate retroflex samplings that have lead me to a potential mathematical resolution."

Write in plain English:

"I have taken the time to research your company and am very impressed. I have a real passion for this industry. I would love the chance to interview with (company name) for the position of account executive. Thank you in advance for the opportunity. I really look forward to meeting you."

See the difference?

"To improve your cover letter, simply read it out loud. If you find tongue twisters or wording that sounds a little too impressive, fix them! Write as you speak and let your personality shine through. Show your enthusiasm and clearly ask for the job interview," says Sweeney.

Which leads to the next tip ...

Cover Letter Secret #2 - Ask And Ye Shall Receive

Want more job interviews? The answer is simple. All you have to do is ask -- clearly and directly.

Most job hunters beat around the bush in their letters. But this is a mistake, according to Sweeney. "Use your cover letter as the marketing tool to bring home the one result you most desire -- the job interview. And you get that interview by asking for it," he says.

Here's one way to ask for that interview:

"I am excited about meeting you for an interview at your earliest convenience to discuss how my credentials meet your needs. I can be reached at 555-555-5555 and will call you to follow up, as well, to make sure you received my application."

This approach can work as your final paragraph. Remember, you are asking the reader (HR Director, Hiring Manager) to take a specific action. You want him or her to pick up the phone to call you for the interview. Don't leave it to chance -- ask directly.

Cover Letter Secret #3 - P.S., Hire Me!

Here's a blockbuster cover letter secret, one proven by decades of advertising. It's this: add a P.S. to your cover letter.

What the heck for, you ask?

A P.S. is nearly impossible to ignore. When you see one in a letter, you are practically forced to read it. Smart marketers have known this for nearly 100 years. (To prove it for yourself, read any 10 "junk mail" letters and you will find a P.S. at the end of at least 9. Try it!)

"A few years ago, my background in marketing led me to insert a P.S at the end of a job-search cover letter. I figured if it worked so well selling things by mail, it would help job-seekers who want to 'sell' themselves to employers," says Sweeney.

And what happened?

"My clients immediately experienced a dramatic increase in job interviews when they started adding a P.S.," says Sweeney.

Here's an example:

P.S. I would like to restate my desire to interview for the position of {insert job title }. {Company name} is #1 on my list of companies I want to work for. I am available immediately and can be reached on my mobile phone at 555-555-5555. Thank you!

In the above example, your P.S. can directly ask for the interview and tell the reader what action to take. You can also restate why you believe you're such a strong candidate for the job.

"Take advantage of the fact that people are trained to read a P.S. -- be sure to include one in your next cover letter," suggests Sweeney.

Note: you can download a Special Report, with 10 of Jimmy Sweeney's best cover letter secrets, at this link - http://www.gresumes.net/sample-cover-letter

Now, go out and make your own luck!

Kevin Donlin is President of Guaranteed Resumes. Since 1996, he and his team have provided resumes, cover letters and online job-search assistance to clients in all 50 states and 23 countries. Kevin has been interviewed by USA Today, CBS MarketWatch, The Wall Street Journal's National Business Employment Weekly, CBS Radio, and many others.

As a reader of this publication, you're eligible for a special offer. Get your Free Job Search Kit ($25.00 value) at the Guaranteed Resumes Web site - http://www.gresumes.com

CAREER TOPICS

Stepping Stone Jobs
What we name something matters.It sets a tone that alters our attitude.

What is Contract Programming? An Alternative to the Conformity of Everyday Employment
What is contract programming, you ask? Well, when companies need specific computer programming expertise, for temporary periods of time, they generally hire a contract programmer or an employee of a consulting firm. Contractors almost always have a higher hourly wage than a salaried employee and are often paid for overtime.

5 Things You Need To Know Before Deciding On A Certification Training
The right certification trainingTrainings vary a lot when it comes to quality. It's essential to choose your certification training provider based on things such as the quality of materials, trainers' competence and skills, counseling facilities, track record etc.

Free Resume Template: What Makes a Good One?
You can drown in the "free resume examples," "free resume templates," and "free resume samples" on the web.In my opinion, a single thing makes one free resume template different from another: results.

Taking Charge During An Interview!
Perhaps you've found yourself in the position of seeking a new position due to a layoff, cutback or downsizing and are now facing the interviewing process. As scary as that may seem, one of the most critical points to remember is that just because you're sitting in the seat opposite the potential employer doesn't mean you have no control.

De-Bunking The "Follow Your Bliss" Myth
Hello Fellow Seekers!I don't know about you? but I'm pretty tired of hearing about how you can "follow your dream" in three or four easy steps. I've seen plenty of people leap before they sufficiently looked --and end up dissatisfied or broke, or both.

Top 10 Super Job Interview Tips
Use these interview tips for job hunting success!It's a tough job market out there today. And getting the job you want requires more than just a killer resume.

What to Ask During the Interview
Don't just sit there and bob your head, waiting to answer the next question - be prepared to ask your own questions and make the interviewer know that you care!Ask Them About the Company If you have researched the company, you should know something about their core business. Use the information that you have found to ask good questions about the company.

5 Proven Steps To Easily Master The Art Of The Interview And Get The Bartending Job Of Your Dreams!
Your mouth is dry, your palms are sweaty, your heart is beating so fast it feels like it is going to pop out of your chest!Sound familiar?For most people, interviews are uncomfortable. The mere thought of them causes anxiety and nervousness.

Job Hunting Tips: Staying Active
Unemployment is depressing: financial pressures stress you out, looking for work is humiliating, and your fragile self-confidence reels under the blows of indifference and rejection.It becomes harder to get up in the morning, to take care of yourself, to be supportive and loving to those around you, to swing energetically into job search activities.

How To REALLY Look For A Job
Are you looking for a job -- really looking? Or are you simply waiting for employment to fall into your lap?If you're like about 75% of the job seekers I've met over the past nine years, you're probably doing too much waiting and not enough searching.Stop.

Seven Steps to Making a Successful Career Change
My first job was secretary to Moses. Having to transcribe and make 2,430 copies of the Ten Commandments convinced me I was on the wrong�career path!� OK, maybe I'm not quite THAT old.

Home Healthcare Careers
One of the fastest growing sectors of the medical industry is that of home health. There are many reasons for this growth, but most important are:The number of aging and infirm citizens in the country.

I Just Lost My Job: How Am I Going To Tell My Kids?
One of the responsibilities of a human resources professional is to let employees know that their job has been eliminated. It is seldom easy to do and often painful for the person who is hearing the news.

Hey! - Are You Being Paid What You Are Worth?
Are you being paid what you are worth? Has anybody ever asked you that? Have you ever asked yourself?The answer to this question really hinges on another question: "Do you work for a boss or do you work for yourself?"If you work for a boss the answer must be a resounding NO! You see, you cannot possibly be paid what you are worth because your boss is being paid what you are worth. He or she then pays you at a discounted rate.

Nine Career Zappers
Today, everyone is looking for the secret to business success. Professionals read books, take training classes, ask questions, study others that are successful and strive to outperform themselves.

Necessary Psychological Skills When Working in the Executive Protection Field
The "hard" skills necessary for an executive protection specialist (EPS) and/or personal protection specialist (PPS) are often perceived as being that of a policeman or (elite) soldier. Though there can be certain similarities i.

Whats Stopping You from Getting Your Next, Good Job?
This question comes up often when I'm working with someone to help them move forward in finding their next job.What is it that compels people to stay "stuck"?1.

Fuzzy Headed Job Goals Lead to a Fuzzy Headed Life!
May I clarify in this article what I believe to be "fuzzy headed" life and job decisions. I believe both are entwined: life and job.

Active Listening Skill Tips for Interviews
During a job interview, a potential employer asks, "Can you take on more than one project at a time?" If you respond, "Yes," you may want to rethink that answer. According to Dynamic Listening: Interview Skills, a computer based training module from Mindleaders in Columbus, Ohio, you should avoid one-word or one-sentence answers.